MacLeod inspires Scotland

Calum MacLeod hit a century as Scotland beat the United Arab Emirates by 53 runs in their World Cup qualifier in Queenstown, New Zealand.

MacLeod and opening partner Matty Cross put on 178 as Scotland posted a total of 265 for six in a match reduced to 28 overs a side.

Khurram Khan smashed 87 in the UAE reply but they were well short when they were bowled out for 212 with seven balls remaining.

After Scotland won the toss, Cross had more of the strike in an opening partnership that rattled along at better than 10 an over.

The wicketkeeper reached his half-century in 36 balls before MacLeod reached the mark in just 30.

Cross eventually made 88 from 60 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes, before being bowled by Rohan Mustafa, who then removed Matt Machan for two.

MacLeod pushed on to a 54-ball century and ultimately a superb 113 from 62, with 12 fours and three sixes, before becoming the third victim of Mustafa (three for 45).

The spinner then added two catches as Mohammad Naveed (three for 44) got in on the act by removing Rob Taylor (12), Michael Leask (seven) and Richie Berrington (11). Safyaan Sharif was 14 not out as Scotland posted an imposing total.

The UAE lost Salman Faris for a duck in the second over and Amjad Ali (11) also fell to Iain Wardlaw (three for 35).

But Khan took 34 balls to reach his half-century in a partnership of 74 with Shaiman Anwar, who fell to Majid Haq (three for 45) for 36. That 21-ball knock featured two fours and three sixes.

Amjad Javed made just five but Swapnil Patil offered good support to Khan before the latter was caught off MacLeod (two for 34). His 54-ball onslaught included 10 fours and four sixes.

Patil advanced to 41 from 35 balls but received little support and was last out in the penultimate over, stumped by Cross off Haq.

It was Scotland's second win in three matches, having lost to group leaders Hong Kong, and they are level on points with their opponents who hold on to second place in Group A on net run rate. The top three qualify for a Super Six stage.